Praught’s tally at 5:17 of the third period broke a 2-2 tie, sending the Panthers to a 3-2 win over the UNB Varsity Reds (8-2-1). It was the second win over UNB this season for the Panthers (6-5-0), who pulled out a 5-4 win in Fredericton two weeks ago.
Before 722 fans at MacLauchlan Arena on the UPEI campus, Matt Fillier’s short-handed goal at 9:02 of the first period gave the Varsity Reds a 1-0 lead.
Kyle Bailey’s power-play goal 10 seconds into the middle frame made it 2-0 for the Varsity Reds, who are coached by Bedeque native Gardiner MacDougall. However, the Panthers responded with two goals in 30 seconds off the sticks of Chris Dasousa (16:42) and Jared Gomes (17:12) to tie the score before the second intermission.
Dasousa, Mike MacIsaac of O’Leary, Matt Boyle, Zach McCullough and Matthew Brenton assisted for the Panthers.
Overall, UPEI outshot the Varsity Reds 35-30. Mavric Parks earned the goaltending decision over Seamus Bowen.
Host Tommies tonight
The Panthers remain home and will host the St. Thomas Tommies tonight. The opening faceoff at MacLauchlan Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.
